Harper Collins
Date published: May 2008
ISBN: 978-0-06-123955-7
Historial Fiction, Suspense
Hardcover
Reviewed by Gina
Barely escaping the desert sands of Egypt, ROSETTA KEY opens with erstwhile hero Ethan Gage standing before a firing squad in Palestine. He’s not alone, however. A number of other prisoners that the French just can’t take the time and effort to deal with are also lined up to die. While sad for his fellow prisoners, they do provide a buffer for Ethan and wily miscreant that he is, he manages to make it into the water and finds himself a cozy cave where he waits out the end of the assault. And so begins his latest adventure. He’s a gambler, an odds maker and breaker, a slippery raider and a charming fellow even if he does say so himself. His journey to find the Book of Thoth, begun in NAPOLEON’S PYRAMIDS, the ROSETTA KEY brings Ethan to the Holy Land and amidst another fascinating group of compatriots. British spy Sidney Smith sends him to his agent, Jericho, a blacksmith who provides Ethan with a roof over his head. It isn’t long, however, before Ethan finds he has more than a passing attraction to Jericho’s sister Miriam. Despite Jericho’s obvious dislike of the growing relationship, Ethan and Miriam find themselves romantically involved. Ethan continues inquiring after Astiza and whether she survived the fall from Conte’s balloon and when he learns her fate, he is torn between the two women. And so begins his quest for not only the Book of Thoth, but how to take control of the stone which will translate the words of the God. The Rosetta Stone, however, is in the hands of Ethan’s nemesis, Count Silano. While both Silano and Napoleon bemoan the fact that Ethan never seems to die, Ethan in turn wonders why the pair never seem to meet their own demise.
Traversing the Holy Land, stumbling to and through Templar treasures and finally returning to France Ethan is in turn pursued and pursues the Rosetta Stone, Silano and his heart’s desire. Will his gambler’s luck hold out long enough for him to find his way out of France alive?
Ethan Gage is an entity unto himself and a delightful one at that. He is a gambler, a sneak, a lover and, as he himself says, charming. He’s a rogue who captures a woman’s heart and leads his readers on a fascinating adventure. Each step he takes brings him closer and closer to the brink and it is by sheer luck and cunning he manages to escape until the very end. He is a timeless character and would fit in anywhere, any time. While not the most reliable of individuals, Ethan is endearing. You get the idea he wants to do the right thing and just can’t help himself. He’d not your alpha bad boy; he’s just got his own brand of naughty.
Mr. Dietrich weaves a mosaic of lore, history, mystery and magic into a fast paced, tale where the reader feels he or she is standing on the precipice beside Ethan as he goes from escapade to escapade. He takes not only the mystery of the Templar’s secrets and brings them to life; Mr. Dietrich adds elements of finger gripping suspense. There was any number of times I felt myself holding my breath when it seemed Ethan would shortly meet his demise. Incorporated in the telling are some of Ben Franklin’s wonderful platitudes, reminders of concepts pertinent to any day and age.
As with all of Mr. Dietrich’s books, they are marvelous reads for not only adults, but older teens as well will be caught up in Ethan’s adventures. While a stand alone tale, readers would miss out on a superb read if they do not first read NAPOLEON’S PYRAMIDS before picking up the ROSETTA KEY. I for one am looking forward to Ethan’s forthcoming story in the DAKOTA CIPHER.
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